Stairs, in addition to communicating the different levels of a house, are a architectural element of interest. They can contribute a lot personality to the house and transform it completely, depending on the materials we choose to shape both these and the railings that complement them.
The railing is a safety element, which significantly influences the aesthetics of a staircase. In order to decorate modern spaces, glass railings are a great alternative. Although I do not know if calling them railings would be the correct thing to do, given that the RAE defines a railing as «A parapet composed of balusters made of wood, iron, bronze or other material, and the railings that hold them, commonly used for balconies, stair handrails and partition of pieces ».
Why glass railings?
Glass railings are a great alternative to decorate open spaces with a modern design. Why? Mainly because they provide a vision of all space, unifying in a certain way the different environments and providing them with light. Everything, without sacrificing security.
- They allow a total vision from the stairs of the entire space and vice versa without sacrificing safety.
- By allowing the passage of light, they also provide greater luminosity and a feeling of spaciousness.
- Due to their design, they fit perfectly with a modern and avant-garde style. However, they are versatile, being able to play a great role in spaces of different styles.
- Combine with other materials to perfection, being especially interesting the combination of glass railings with wooden or concrete stairs.
- They provide security to the ladder. They are an additional point of support and contrary to what we might think, being made of tempered or safety glass they are very safe.
- Its maintenance is simple. To clean these railing you will only need soap and water or instead, the product you use to clean other glass surfaces.
Trend combinations
Like fashion, interior design is also subject to trends. Trends that invite us to combine certain materials in certain ways to achieve a concrete aesthetics that adds value to our home. Do you want to know what these trends are today?
The perfect complement for floating stairs
Glass railings are often installed on floating type stairs. Both elements pursue the same objective, to achieve a visually light set. These stairs are usually made of wood or concrete, a combination of key materials in avant-garde style spaces.
The material of the staircase largely determines the presence or absence of handrails and its material. When the stairs are made of wood, it is common to incorporate a discreet handrail into the railing. wooden handrail that reinforces their warmth, while when they are made of concrete or stone, they opt for a minimalist style without handrails.
Minimalist style
Giving up the handrail is a way to create spaces with a greater continuity and fluidity, without the visual obstacle that a pass could suppose. It's also a great strategy for drawing attention to stairs without sacrificing safety. In diaphanous and minimalist spaces where the stairs are by themselves a point of architectural interest, they are a great choice.
They are also the right choice when you want to increase the safety of the stairs against the possible fall of the little ones. Simply extend the glass screen up to the ceiling to avoid accidents without damaging the aesthetics of the set. The cost of the railing increases, but also the peace of mind.
With profiles or wooden handrails
That the wooden handrails add warmth to this type of railings is unquestionable. Straight line profiles Made with the same wood as the floors, they today replace the classic rounded handrails, reinforcing the minimalist and modern aesthetics of these spaces.
An aesthetic that is often at odds with child safety or the elderly at home. When that happens, these discreet but aesthetically neat wooden handrails are enough to guarantee both style and peace of mind in the face of accidents.
With industrial character
Metallic elements can help us to reinforce the industrial character of a home. The black metal profilesSpecifically, they are the favorites to complete the glass railings that are destined for industrial-inspired spaces. Spaces with concrete floors, perforated metal stairs and leather armchairs.
In addition, they are also a great tool to balance the warmth of wooden floors and give a subtle industrial character to spaces that we could not describe as that style. In the second image you have some examples of it, take them as inspiration!
Do you like glass railings? They are an excellent option in homes of any style so as not to block vision and allow light to flow through the different open spaces, don't you agree?